The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality is reviewing a new chemical to see if it is safe for humans.
The chemical is FTS 6:2. It is one of thousands of man-made perfluoroalkyl substances, also called PFAs. Two PFAs, PFOS and PFOA, have been linked to a number of health problems in humans including cancer.
FTS 6:2 is used as a replacement for PFOS and PFOA.
Scott Dean is with the DEQ. He said the chemical is being used in Michigan factories, and the state wants to confirm that it is safe.
“There’s not a lot of science available in terms of any possible effects associated with human health and this compound but we’re committed to studying it as part of our overarching response to this emerging class of contaminants in the environment.”
Dean said this will be the first time the Department has looked into the impacts of PFAs in air emissions.
“There are a lot of unknowns about PFAs in air emissions and that’s why we are in the early stages of doing some research and going through the available literature and talking to the various companies out there that may be using these products.”
Dean said chemical manufacturers say the compound is safer than the PFAs it has replaced.